Language/Breton/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be
Hi Breton learners! đ
In this lesson, we will study how to use "be" in Breton. Like in English and many other languages, "be" is a crucial verb in Breton. We will also learn how to use it in various tenses and moods. But before we start, let's quickly review what we already know.
If you want to improve your Breton Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Present Tense[edit | edit source]
In Breton, the present tense of "be" can translate to either "am", "are", or "is" in English. Let's see some examples:
Breton | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
me zo | [me zo] | I am |
out a zo | [out a zo] | You are (singular) |
ez int o | [ez int o] | They are |
Here is a dialogue to illustrate:
- Person 1: Me zo brezhoneger. ([I am a Breton language teacher.])
- Person 2: Me zo studier. ([I am a student.])
You can also use "be" to form the present continuous tense:
Breton | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
me zo o kas skrid | [me zo o kas skrid] | I am writing |
out a zo o klevet | [out a zo o klevet] | You are listening (singular) |
ez int o lâret | [ez int o lâret] | They are saying |
Here is another dialogue to illustrate:
- Person 1: Me zo o kas skrid. ([I am writing.])
- Person 2: Me zo o lenn testenn. ([I am reading a text.])
Note: the present continuous tense is formed with "be" + "o" + verb-noun.
Past Tense[edit | edit source]
In Breton, the past tense of "be" can translate to either "was" or "were" in English. Let's see some examples:
Breton | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
me oa | [me oa] | I was |
out a oa | [out a oa] | You were (singular) |
ez int oa | [ez int oa] | They were |
Here is a dialogue to illustrate:
- Person 1: Me oa er skol vras. ([I was in the big school.])
- Person 2: Me oa er c'hoad. ([I was in the forest.])
You can also use "be" to form the past continuous tense:
Breton | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
me oa o kas skrid | [me oa o kas skrid] | I was writing |
out a oa o klevet | [out a oa o klevet] | You were listening (singular) |
ez int oa o lenn | [ez int oa o lenn] | They were reading |
Here is another dialogue to illustrate:
- Person 1: Me oa o kas skrid. ([I was writing.])
- Person 2: Me oa o lenn testenn. ([I was reading a text.])
Note: the past continuous tense is formed with "be" + "o" + verb-noun.
Future Tense[edit | edit source]
In Breton, the future tense of "be" can translate to either "will be" or "shall be" in English. Let's see some examples:
Breton | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
me vo | [me vo] | I will be |
out a vo | [out a vo] | You will be (singular) |
ez int vo | [ez int vo] | They will be |
Here is a dialogue to illustrate:
- Person 1: Me vo studier. ([I will be a student.])
- Person 2: Me vo labourer. ([I will be a worker.])
You can also use "be" to form the future continuous tense:
Breton | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
me vo o kas skrid | [me vo o kas skrid] | I will be writing |
out a vo o klevet | [out a vo o klevet] | You will be listening (singular) |
ez int vo o lenn | [ez int vo o lenn] | They will be reading |
Here is another dialogue to illustrate:
- Person 1: Me vo o kas skrid. ([I will be writing.])
- Person 2: Me vo o lenn testenn. ([I will be reading a text.])
Note: the future continuous tense is formed with "be" + "o" + verb-noun.
Imperative Mood[edit | edit source]
In Breton, the imperative mood of "be" can translate to either "be" or "let's be" in English. Let's see some examples:
Breton | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
beut eo !! [beut eo] !! Be (singular) | ||
beomp eo !! [beomp eo] | Let's be (plural) |
Here is a dialogue to illustrate:
- Person 1: Beut eo mat ! ([Be good!])
- Person 2: Beomp eo dalc'hmat pep tra. ([Let's stay calm.])
Conditional Mood[edit | edit source]
In Breton, the conditional mood of "be" can translate to "would be" or "should be" in English. Let's see some examples:
Breton | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
me vefe | [me vefe] | I would be |
out a vefe | [out a vefe] | You would be (singular) |
ez int vefe | [ez int vefe] | They would be |
Here is a dialogue to illustrate:
- Person 1: Me vefe kontant ma veze kaset an aotrou. ([I would be happy if the gentleman was sent.])
- Person 2: Out a vefe komprenet ma voent komz brezhoneg. ([You would understand if they spoke Breton.])
You can also use "be" to form the conditional continuous tense:
Breton | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
me vefe o kas skrid | [me vefe o kas skrid] | I would be writing |
out a vefe o klevet | [out a vefe o klevet] | You would be listening (singular) |
ez int vefe o lenn | [ez int vefe o lenn] | They would be reading |
Here is another dialogue to illustrate:
- Person 1: Me vefe o kas skrid. ([I would be writing.])
- Person 2: Out a vefe o lenn testenn. ([You would be reading a text.])
Note: the conditional continuous tense is formed with "be" + "o" + verb-noun.
⥠If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
⥠Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. đ
Videos[edit | edit source]
How to Make Elegant, Buttery Gâteau Breton - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Gender
- Adjectives
- Questions
- Conditional Mood
- Future Tense
- Plurals
- How to Use Have
- Negation
- Give your Opinion
Sources[edit | edit source]